“The defining essence of my being has always been rooted in one word: athlete. But when I arrived in Thailand for a semester abroad with the Alberta School of Business, I found myself in a culture where the concept of a “varsity athlete” didn’t exist. Stripped of that familiar label, I was forced to confront a question that had never fully surfaced: who am I, really? I realized my identity had been more tied to that role than I had ever known, and without it, I had to navigate the uncertain, yet liberating, territory of self discovery. Thailand, with its distinct customs and culture, felt worlds apart from everything I was used to in Canada. But, I immediately felt a sense of reassurance when I experienced the genuine hospitality, friendliness and generosity of Thai people. The meaningful conversations I had with people from around the world taught me that true worth isn’t in titles or possessions, but in our virtues and how we treat others. I am excited to bring this newfound mentalit...